Killer Comfort Food

by Lynn Cahoon

  “Nature versus nurture. She’s Barb’s daughter. Probably determined, smart, and a bit calculating, but in a good way.” He nodded to the chicken. “Anything I can do to help?”

  She shook her head. “No, let me cook tonight. I need to feel useful. Why don’t you and Dom go into the living room and watch some television.”

  “I’ll take up your couch offer, but I’m going to read instead. I’m right at the good part of the book, and I’d love to finish tonight. Of course, I brought the next book in the series with me today, just in case.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Let me know if you need help or want company.”

  “You’re the best.” She watched as he made his tea, then heard his steps as he went around to all the downstairs doors, checking locks. He ran upstairs too. She glanced at Dom, who was watching her cook and waiting for her to drop something. “He’s also thorough.”

  Dom smiled a doggie grin, sticking his tongue out at her.

  After dinner, Ian helped her with the dishes. He was drying the last plate when his phone rang. “Hey, Uncle Allen.”

  Angie took the plate from him and put it away, then took a washrag to the table. She listened to Ian’s part of the conversation, then looked at him expectantly when he hung up.

  He shook his head, putting the phone back on his charger. “Nothing important. He just wanted to let me know he was on his way out to the caves. A bunch of kids were out there partying today, and some guy ran them off. Their parents are afraid that the guy is living out there.”

  “Shouldn’t they be more concerned that their underaged kids were probably drinking out there?” Angie glanced at the freezer. “I think I have some ice cream in there if you want dessert.”

  “Are you kidding? After that meal, I’m good for now. Maybe some popcorn later?” He glanced around the kitchen, but it was shiny clean. “You up for a movie, or do you just want to read with me?”

  Angie glanced at her mother’s diary. Susan’s had been so sad. She needed an influx of positive life into her brain. And her mom’s high school years seemed full of fun and crazy activities. “I’ll read if you are.”

  “Sounds like a plan. A cup of tea?” He nodded to the pot.

  Angie went to the fridge instead. “I’m thinking some hot chocolate with the popcorn. Salty and sweet.”

  “You’re amazing.”

  They went arm in arm into the living room to settle in for the night.

  Angie heard the book snap together with a satisfied sigh from Ian when he finished. She handed him the diary and pointed to a section she’d marked with a piece of paper about an hour ago when she’d found it. She hadn’t wanted to pull him out of his book. “Read that page.”

  When he was done, he frowned. “Is this the same cave where Uncle Allen is tonight?”

  “There’s only one River Vista Cave. It’s been a teenage hangout for years. But I never heard the story about a young woman getting lost in the caves, until I read it in Mom’s diary.” She stood and rolled her shoulders. “Ready for a movie and popcorn? I know you typically go to bed early, but there’s no way I can sleep for a while.”

  “Not a problem. You make the popcorn. I’ll pick the movie.” He stood behind her and rubbed her shoulders. “How do you feel reading your mom’s diary? Is it hard, knowing she’s gone?”

  Angie sighed. The man had magic fingers, especially since she held on to all her tension in her shoulders. “Just the opposite, actually. I feel closer to her and Nona than I have for several years. Since I lost Nona, really. It’s like time-traveling back in their lives and listening to them squabble. I love it.”

  He kissed the back of her neck and pulled her into a hug. “I’m glad, then. I like to see you happy.”

  Angie and Dom went into the kitchen as Ian chose a movie. It was funny that the cave had come up twice today. She hadn’t thought of that place since she was a teenager out on a Friday night after a September football game. She’d been interested in one of the football players that fall, but he’d quickly hooked up with one of the cheerleading squad. Angie hadn’t been back to the cave since that night.

  She poured the corn into the oil in a pan, put on a lid, and started shaking. So many close calls around life choices revolved around fate. And the man in her living room was better than any of her prior boyfriends. He was a keeper, and she was trying hard to make the relationship permanent.

  When the popping slowed down, she poured the popcorn into a bowl, melted a stick of butter, and salted the corn after drizzling the butter over the top.

  “Movie’s ready and that smells amazing,” Ian called from the living room. She grabbed a couple of sodas and the bowl before meeting him on the couch. The way to a man’s heart and all.

  * * * *

  The next morning, she decided to work on the cookbook. Sunday and Monday were her veg days and the restaurant didn’t open until Wednesday, so she used Tuesdays for recipe development and projects. Like the cookbook. Or trying to save the farmhouse. Which she hadn’t been making any progress on, even with Jon’s cryptic discussion about how the company wasn’t what it seemed to be. Therefore, the cookbook had won. Besides, she thought better while she cooked.

  Hopefully, Barb wouldn’t get herself into a pinch and need rescuing today, either. All she wanted to do was shuffle around the kitchen in her slippers and make food. She pulled out some frozen hamburger and put it in the microwave to thaw. Then she got the rest of the ingredients for a Korean rice bowl together. This had been one of Nona’s favorite easy meals when she’d been in high school. She’d met a woman at church who’d been born in Korea. Her family had moved to the area after retiring from the Air Force. She’d told Nona that she’d adjusted some of her family recipes to be more “American” for her kids to accept the flavors she loved. This recipe had been one of the compromises.

  Angie had loved talking to Mrs. Terrel about her native food choices. Those Saturday afternoon cooking lessons had been the first time Angie had considered a career in food. That she could be more than just a home cook.

  Ian came and put his arms around her. “You look lost in thought.”

  “Lost in memory, actually. Are the Terrels still members at the church?” Angie should have looked them up when she came back home.

  “I don’t think so. You could call Maggie. She has a church directory.” He poured a cup of coffee. “I haven’t heard that name.”

  “Mrs. Terrel and Nona were friends. She taught me to cook some Korean meals years ago.” Angie wiped her hands on a towel and refilled her own coffee. “Their kids were older than me.”

  “Is this one of the recipes?” He picked up the worn card on which a much younger Angie had carefully scribed the ingredients and steps.

  “I was in high school. Back before I knew I wanted to be a chef.” She sat down at the table and took back the card. “Funny how life leads you down just the right path at times. You look back and all the steps were perfectly placed to get you where you need to be.”

  “I’ll drink to that.” Ian lifted his coffee cup in a salute. “I thought I’d run to town today for supplies. Do you need anything at the store? Maybe come with me and do a bit of investigating?”

  “You’re funny. You know I don’t plan these things.” She saw his grin. “Well, not all the time. Anyway, I just don’t know where to go on either the kidnapping or finding a way to fight the soybean plant. And when I don’t know what to do, I cook.” She picked up the recipe card. “I need to call Nancy and check on her. I know Estebe was talking to her about moving into one of his rentals. I’d feel safer if she wasn’t in the same house that was broken into.”

  “You should call Felicia. She’ll know.”

  Angie grabbed her phone. “You’re right. I can’t believe I didn’t ask her yesterday.”

  “You’ve been a little busy.” Ian stood and grabbed his laptop from the desk. “I’m going
into the living room to play World War Two Remix for a while. Let me know if you need me to go get anything.”

  Angie nodded, then focused on the call. “Felicia, I’m so glad you picked up. How’s Nancy? Have you heard anything?”

  She listened as Felicia spoke. Then she stood and walked into the living room. “We’ll see you in a few minutes, then.”

  Ian looked up from his laptop. “I’m not playing a game, am I?”

  “Felicia and Estebe are coming over. They have some news about Nancy and the ex-husband. Mostly on the ex-husband.” She leaned against the door frame and watched him. “It looks like the Scooby-Doo gang is being called back into service.”

  “That almost got you killed last time, when we started investigating the local chefs.” He closed his laptop and leaned back on the couch. “Are you sure you want to get involved again?”

  “No, what almost got me killed was winning one of the flights at the competition. It could have been anyone, and the killer didn’t know I was investigating anyway.” She pointed to the kitchen. “I’m going to make this Korean rice bowl recipe for lunch. You want to come help me while we wait for the other two?”

  “Why not? My mom always said those that don’t work, don’t eat.” He set his laptop on top of the bookcase out of Dom’s reach.

  “I always liked ‘many hands make light work.’ Same philosophy, softer delivery.” She took his arm as he walked past and they went into the kitchen.

  Lunch was almost done when Felicia and Estebe arrived. Dom went around greeting the newcomers with a nudge of his head to remind them to give him a few pets while they got settled.

  Estebe took in a big whiff of air. “The food smells enticing. What are you making?”

  “Just something I learned in high school. Go get washed up, and you two can set the table,” Angie directed as Felicia came by to give her a quick hug. “Good to see you. I feel like I’ve been locked up for days.”

  “What are you talking about? I saw you in town yesterday.” Felicia laughed.

  Ian nodded to Estebe as they walked to the mudroom to wash their hands. “She wasn’t supposed to be in town. She was supposed to be home, where she’d stay safe.”

  Estebe came back into the room, drying his hands. “And you expect Angie to listen when you tell her to sit? She is not a trained dog. No offense to Dom.”

  “Or me, I hope.” Angie dished up the meat mixture on the rice Ian had just put into four bowls. Then she sprinkled each one with toppings. “All we’ll need at the table are drinks and either a fork or chopsticks. I have both in the silverware drawer.”

  “I’ll get both,” Felicia volunteered. And for a few moments, everyone was busy getting the food delivered to the table. After they sat, Ian gave a short blessing.

  “What do you have to share?” Angie asked.

  Felicia pointed to Estebe with her chopsticks. “You go first.”

  “Nancy and her children are safely moved into one of my rentals. I matched the rent she had been paying, and she has a larger house with an actual back yard the kids can play in. I think their schools will change, but Nancy might wait until summer to do that.” He took a bite of the dish. “This is full of flavor. Your high school self was a good cook, as well.”

  “Thank you.” Angie beamed. “And thank you for what you did for Nancy. I think a lot of us are going to sleep better now.”

  “Her ex-husband is persistent, but this place has good locks and security.” He smiled at Felicia. “Nancy is family. She should not be scared all the time.”

  “I did some digging on Charles Gowan,” he went on. “His company is listed as the main contractor for the soybean plant designs according to the filings they just completed over at the courthouse. There is going to be a land rezoning hearing next month. We need to go and protest this. And have a lot of support or you’re going to be zoned out of your Nona’s house.”

  “On my list, but I’m not sure the company is playing fair with us. Jon seemed to think that the main contractor had some issues with prior developments and playing on the up-and-up.” Angie took a bite as she considered the information. “Would that be on record? I mean, what the last project was the company worked on?”

  “Somewhere.” Estebe nodded. “I can ask my real estate attorney to do some digging.”

  “Won’t they charge you?” Angie asked. She knew Estebe had probably already paid for Nancy’s move and taken a big discount on the rent for the new house. He didn’t need to be going further into the red for this wild goose chase.

  “He owes me some time. It won’t cost me anything, so don’t get that look on your face.” Estebe pointed to Angie with his fork. “I do what I want, I’m not being coerced into anything. I am a grown man and make my own decisions.”

  Angie laughed and held up a hand. “Okay, sue me for worrying about your over-the-top generosity. I’d appreciate you looking into this company. Maybe we can get rid of Nancy’s problem as well as mine in one swoop.”

  Felicia held up her chopsticks. “I did my own research on Charles Gowan. He’s a cad. He’s been in six relationships in the last two years. And at least three had an engagement announcement in the local Napa Valley paper. From what Nancy said about their divorce timeline, one was three months before the divorce was final. I guess he was getting ready for the next Mrs. Gowen before the divorce was final. And there’s rumors about his company and some financial issues. From what I heard from my friends who work in construction in the area, he’s seen as a wild card. You don’t hire him unless you need something done cheap and fast. He cuts corners.”

  “Jon said that his company gets rid of troublemakers. As in, they aren’t around to be a problem anymore.” Angie didn’t look up as she spoke, instead focusing on moving around the rice in her bowl. “Did your contacts tell you any rumors about that?”

  Chapter 14

  After Angie’s pronouncement, everyone kicked into high gear. By the time they finished lunch, they had a list of people to visit that afternoon. Felicia had brought her notes on the woman that Susan had mentioned in her diary. There were two that the group decided needed to be talked to about where Susan might have gone. It was agreed that Estebe and Felicia would delve into Gowan’s company. Ian and Angie would talk to Susan’s friends.

  Ian finished making notes and looked up at the other three. “We need to keep Angie safe. If he’s thinking about speeding up the process by eliminating her opposition for the project, he’ll hit either her or the property. I’m going to ask Uncle Allen to have a deputy parked here to watch both Angie’s and Mrs. Potter’s place.”

  “That’s overkill, don’t you think?” Angie protested but no one laughed with her. The seriousness of the situation hit her like a punch in the gut. “You think he might do something to the house?”

  “I’ve been looking into the past projects he was part of.” Felicia pointed to the laptop screen. “Houses have burned down and made room for his projects before. Let’s just take this seriously for a while. The worst that could happen if we’re wrong is Sheriff Brown’s personnel costs increase.”

  “I don’t want to leave Dom here if there’s even a chance. He might not be able to get out his dog door if something happened.” Angie glanced over at Dom, who, instead of sleeping, was watching her intently. She knew he could feel the tension in her words.

  “We’ll bring him to the restaurant, and he can hang in the banquet room with Nancy’s kids. I think she’s bringing them along, just to be safe.” Felicia shot Dom a big smile. “Who wants to go and play with some kids?”

  Dom’s tail thumped on the floor.

  The group around the table laughed. “At least someone’s good with the plan.” Ian picked up his phone. “Let me call Uncle Allen and get him on board.”

  “We’ll clean up the kitchen.” Estebe nodded to Felicia. “The recipe is good. I would think this would be a good re
cipe for your cookbook. As long as the prep isn’t too intensive, I could see many people making this for a weekday dinner.”

  Angie relaxed in her chair. The team—no, the family—she’d surrounded herself with made things easier to bear. Even when they were hard and scary. She smiled as she stood and took in the people she’d come to love in the last few years. “I’m going upstairs and getting ready for service tonight since we probably won’t have time to come back here.”

  “You’ve got about fifteen minutes before we’ll be ready here.” Felicia picked up a bowl off the table. “Then we’ll head into Boise to see what we can find. Should we plan on meeting at the County Seat at four?”

  “I will call Nancy and have her start prep at three without me.” Estebe pulled out his phone. “But we should try to be in the kitchen at four. Let’s move it up to three thirty at the latest?”

  “Sounds good. If we need to push off an interview or a stop until tomorrow, we’ll have to do it. Service prep is important.” Angie nodded.

  “Saving the world has to be done in between everyday things.” Estebe grinned. “Just like those superheroes in the movies. Peter still has to go to school and fight villains.”

  “I still think the Scooby-Doo reference describes us better,” Angie added. “Besides, we’re not saving the world here.”

  “Just maybe a life or two,” Felicia added. The three of them went somber with the implications of that sentence.

  “Uncle Allen says he’ll send a car over now.” Ian walked back into the room, tucking his phone in his pocket. He glanced around, feeling the tension. “What happened when I was gone?”

  “Estebe tried to up our stakes to world saving.” Angie smiled sadly. “But we’re still just trying to keep River Vista clean.”

  “You guys and your pop culture references are going to freak you all out. Let’s just say we’re talking to some people and trying to figure out a puzzle. That way, life and death is off the table, at least until we have something to worry about.” Ian moved beside Angie and gave her a hug. “Besides, Scooby-Doo never worried about saving the world.”